Friday, January 16, 2009

Have a Heavenly Weekend ...

[Thanks so much for your patience with me this week...I will start blogging regularly again next week, but will probably not be posting as many entries per week as before (I will shoot for around 3-4)...at least until my exams are over in March!!]

I was thrilled to find these photos of Amber Valletta from an early 90's Vogue! These photos hold a very special place in my memory, and I wanted to share the story with you:

I grew up in Oklahoma, and needless to say, when I was growing up, most of people around me could have cared less about fashion. I was a bit of the odd-girl, and I loved reading magazines and keeping up with the who's-who of the modeling world. I especially loved Amber [who had just started modeling in the early 90's], because she was from my hometown of Tulsa. Early one morning, I was in the airport in Tulsa with my family getting ready to go on vacation, and I noticed a tall blonde standing up ahead in the check-in line. I couldn't see her face, but I could see she was wearing towering high heels, a pair of worn Levis, and a chic blazer. She definitely didn't look like she belonged in Oklahoma! About 20 minutes later, I was standing in the airport bookstore at the magazine stand browsing through the most recent issue of Vogue -- with Amber Valletta on the cover, and a gorgeous black-and-white spread of her dressed as angel on the streets of New York. A woman walked up next to me and picked up a copy of Vogue and began looking through it as well. I looked up and realized it was the same woman from the line earlier...then I realized...it was AMBER!! Now keep in mind, I was about 13 years old, and this was my first encounter with a celebrity of any kind. And for me, Amber was a role-model of sorts -- someone from a small town who had made it big!! I have no idea to this day how I managed to get my shy-13-year-old self to do it, but I managed to say "HI Amber" and ask for an autograph (I know, corny). She cheerfully signed the front page of the spread (the one below): "Peace and love, Amber". I realize now how sweet it was that she was looking at her own photos -- she was new to modeling, and it was probably so exciting for her to see herself on the cover of Vogue! I wish I knew what happened to my copy of Vogue with her signature; it's probably packed in a box somewhere in my parent's attic. But, needless to say, Amber holds a special place in my heart! Doesn't she look look young and endearingly awkward in these photos!?

Have a heavenly weekend...










[Amber Valletta by Peter Lindbergh]

17 comments:

Michelle Schraudner said...

Oh wow, I love these!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos! What an amazing experience to have met her!!

P.S. Wanna swap links?? I love your blog :).

Unknown said...

Ahhh Amber! I grew up looking at the 90s supermodels - Amber, Cindy, Tajana, Linda, Helena etc. I still believe they're miles ahead of some of the girls working today. And I especially love the androgynous angel shots. Thanks for sharing.

St. Cecilia Vintage said...

Oh, how I love NYC. It looks so magical in these photos and Ambers look is so gloriously 90's I want to cry.

Airam said...

Oh, those pictures... it looks so serene. I need one of those long satin dresses soon, they're gorgeous! You're very lucky to have met her, by the way, and I'm sure she was very flattered when you wanted her autograph :)

Anonymous said...

i love the photos- thanks for posting them.

Cris Piera said...

that's a sweet story!

is your man back? ;) how are you doing with your exams?

kisses from Barcelona!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pics, Tara! How are you doing with your exams?
xx

Paradis said...

"I grew up looking at the 90s supermodels - Amber, Cindy, Tajana, Linda, Helena etc. I still believe they're miles ahead of some of the girls working today."

I totally agree with ana b.!!!

Anonymous said...

i think you are just as gorgeous and fashionable as amber...but even more attractive cuz you are keeping it right here in oklahoma!

Alice said...

great blog!

Unknown said...

why the hell do my comments never post here?!?!?!

Gerry said...

That's the most amazing experience ever :)

Gorgeous photos – I love Peter Lindbergh.

{Tara} said...

carlita -- Thanks so much! Of course, let's swap dear!!

ana b. -- I loved the 90's models, too -- truly gorgeous, womanly and unique!

St. Cecilia -- I know! Very nostalgic!

{Tara} said...

airam -- I hope she was flattered and didn't think I was ridiculous!

cris -- He is back!! Thank goodness ;)

tamara -- well, I'm still studying...and still alive...barely, LOL.

{Tara} said...

spring -- Silly girl! I miss you, btw!!!!

alice -- Thanks, you are too kind!

gerry -- Lindbergh is amazing indeed!

lune_blanc said...

That's a great story! thanks for sharing, and the photos are wondreful :)